Welcome to Medical News Today

Healthline Media, Inc. would like to process and share personal data (e.g., mobile ad id) and data about your use of our site (e.g., content interests) with our third party partners (see a current list) using cookies and similar automatic collection tools in order to a) personalize content and/or offers on our site or other sites, b) communicate with you upon request, and/or c) for additional reasons upon notice and, when applicable, with your consent.

Healthline Media, Inc. is based in and operates this site from the United States. Any data you provide will be primarily stored and processed in the United States, pursuant to the laws of the United States, which may provide lesser privacy protections than European Economic Area countries.

By clicking “accept” below, you acknowledge and grant your consent for these activities unless and until you withdraw your consent using our rights request form. Learn more in our Privacy Policy.

Please accept our privacy terms

We use cookies and similar technologies to improve your browsing experience, personalize content and offers, show targeted ads, analyze traffic, and better understand you. We may share your information with third-party partners for marketing purposes. To learn more and make choices about data use, visit our Advertising Policy and Privacy Policy. By clicking “Accept and Continue” below, (1) you consent to these activities unless and until you withdraw your consent using our rights request form, and (2) you consent to allow your data to be transferred, processed, and stored in the United States.

Get the MNT newsletter

Email an article

You have chosen to share the following article:

How elderberries can help you fight the flu

To proceed, simply complete the form below, and a link to the article will be sent by email on your behalf.Note: Please don't include any URLs in your comments, as they will be removed upon submission.

We do not store details you enter into this form. Please see our privacy policy for more information.

The signs and symptoms of breast lumps vary depending on the cause. In this article, we will examine some of the causes of breast lumps and the specific signs and symptoms that might develop.

Anyone who feels a lump in their breast should visit a doctor to have it examined; this is true for both men and women.

Fibrocystic breasts

There are a number of potential causes of lumps within the breast.

Fibrocystic breasts, also called fibrocystic breast disease, is a benign condition, meaning that it is non-cancerous. It causes changes to occur in breast tissue, resulting in:

Breast discomfort and general tenderness

Irregular nodules or small lumps

Dense breast tissue

Symptoms may change with the menstrual cycle, with swelling more common right before menstruation.

Women may have very different symptoms, and the same woman may experience varying symptoms on different occasions.

For some patients, fibrocystic breasts are a slight nuisance, while for others, it can be extremely painful.

Doctors say that fibrocystic breasts may be a response to change in hormone levels related to menstrual cycles. The condition is very common and does not increase the risk of developing breast cancer.

Fibroadenoma

Fibroadenomas are small, solid, rubbery, benign (non-cancerous) lumps, consisting of fibrous and glandular tissue. They are common in younger women. Doctors may recommend a tissue sample (biopsy) to rule out cancer if the fibroadenoma feels concerning. Signs and symptoms include:

A well-rounded, smooth, solid lump

They are painless

They may disappear on their own, but can often persist and slowly grow

When touched they move easily, referred to as "mobile"

They have a rubber-like texture

Breast cyst

A cyst is a closed sac-like structure - an abnormal pocket of fluid, like a blister - that contains a combination of fluid or semi-solid substances. Cysts are located within a tissue, and can occur anywhere in the body and vary in size - some are so small that they can only be viewed through a microscope, while others may become so big that they displace normal organs.

A breast cyst is a fluid-filled sac within the breast; there may be many or just one. They are typically:

Round

With distinct edges

With a soft grape like or water-filled balloon texture

The cyst may feel firm

More common in woman in their 30s and 40s

They may be more common if the woman is taking HRT (hormone replacement therapy)

They may be tiny or several centimeters in diameter

Pain is unusual unless the cyst is particularly large and grows during the menstrual cycle

There are different types of breast cysts that have varying degrees of fluid and solid features, some are more concerning for cancer and may require further testing, like a mammogram, ultrasound, or biopsy

Unless the cyst is large and causing discomfort, in which case it may be drained, it does not normally require treatment.

Breast cancer

During the early stages, breast cancer may not have any palpable symptoms (symptoms the patient can notice). However, as the tumor grows, the way the breast looks and feels can change. The following changes may occur:

A thickening in the breast, or near it (in the underarm area)

A lump in the breast or near it (in the underarm area)

The lump may feel firm, usually has an irregular shape, and seems anchored (stuck) to either deep tissue within the breast or the skin of the breast or nearby area

The size and/or shape of the breast may change

There may be puckering or dimpling in the skin of the affected breast

The nipple of the affected breast may turn inward

There may be a discharge from the nipple; the discharge may be bloody

The skin on the breast and/or nipple may be scaly, red, or swollen

Some breast cancers are difficult to distinguish from benign breast lesions like cysts or fibroadenomas. Whenever you can feel a lump in your breast, it is important to see a doctor. Breast cancer is more treatable when it is caught early.

For further information about breast lumps, below is a selection of Medical News Today articles covering other angles:

2019 Healthline Media UK Ltd. All rights reserved. MNT is the registered trade mark of Healthline Media. Any medical information published on this website is not intended as a substitute for informed medical advice and you should not take any action before consulting with a healthcare professional.